Sheet-leader block.



Patnted Aug. 14, 1900.

E. J. F. COLEMAN. SHEET LEADER BLOCK.

(Application filed Nov. 28, 1899. 1

(No Modem Eiwarc? If. Coleman.

TATES ED'WARD J. F. COLEMAN, OF BARRINGTON, RHODE ISLAND.

SHEET-LEADER BLOCK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 655,851, dated August 14, 1900. Application filed November 23, 189 9. Serial No. 738,004. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, EDWARD J. F. COLE- MAN, a citizen of the United States of America, and a resident of Barrington, county of Bristol, and State of Rhode Island, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Sheet-Leader Blocks, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in sheet-leader blocks, so called, employed on yachts and other sailing vessels; and it 0011- sists, essentially, of a base-plate adapted to be rigidly secured to the deck, a superposed guard-plate swivel-jointed to the base-plate, a link jointed to the guard-plate, and a block or sheave-frame loosely coupled to said link, the axis of the link-pin being at substantially right angles to that of the sheave-pin, all as will be more fully hereinafter set forth and claimed.

In devices of the character forming the subject of my present invention it has been usual heretofore to loosely secure the lower end of the sheave-frame itself to a central eyebolt adapted to be screwed into or pass entirely through a deck-beam, a washer sometimes being interposed between the eye of the bolt and the upper surface of the deck-sheathing. In another case the rigidly-secured base-plate member is provided with upwardly-extending ears carrying a pin on which the link (which in turn sustains the sheave-frame) is mounted to swing. There are objections to the use of sheet-leader blocks just referred tO-that is to say, former devices or fittings of this class were not adapted to be readily secured to the deck or changed when desired. The sheaves were not capable of sufficient angular movement except in one plane or direction. Therefore the sheet or halyard could not lead fair to the sheave at all times. In some of the former devices the sheave-frame when the sheet was slackened suiiiciently would drop over upon the deck and mar it. In other cases where it has been attempted to overcome this latter objection the movement of the frame was limited to a comparativelyshort are, thereby when not in use forming an obstruction, since the frame stood in a nearlyrvertical position. In such former devices, too, water was liable to work down around the central bolt to the under side of the deck. By means of my improvement all the foregoing-named objections or disadvantages are overcome. The baseplate has a comparatively-large area and is fastened to the deck by a number of shortscrews or other equivalent means, thereby distributing the strain over a greater deck-surface. No water can pass through. The device can be readily secured to or detached from the upper side of the deck. The sheave-frame is capable of swinging in an arc of one hundred and eighty degrees extent and in any direction, its movements when made in different planes being coincident with that of the guard-plate, the

rim of the latter being extended to form a rest or support for the frame and keeping it (the frame) from contact with the deck, and, finally, the device is strong yet light and comparatively inexpensive.

In the accompanying sheet of drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view of my improved sheetleader block, the sheave-frame being dropped to one side,'as when not in use; and Fig. 2 is a corresponding combined sectional and side elevation, the sectional portion being taken on line 0: 0c of Fig. 1.

The following is a detailed description of the device:

The base-plate a is circular and, as drawn, is adaptedto be secured to the deck 01 by means of the three screws 8. Mounted above and practically enveloping the plate Ct is located the guardplate I), the latter having the downwardly-extending peripheral rim 1), reaching nearly to the deck. A headed pivotpin 0 passes loosely through the center of the base-p1ate and is riveted or otherwise rigidly secured to the center of the guard-plate, a loose washer to beinginterposed between the adjacent surfaces of the head of the pin and the under side of the base-plate. The upper portion of the guard-plate is provided with a pair of laterally-separated ears 6, through which a supporting-pin 19 extends, all as clearly shown.

f indicates a well-known form of sheaveframe or block, having the loosely-turning sheave or sheet leader pulley 19 mounted therein. The frame is connected or coupled to the transverse pin 29 of the guard'plate by means of the link Z, the latter swinging on said pin. The link has an eye at its outer end through which the lower end or tief of the frameffreely passes. It will be seen that the axis of the tie portion j is arranged at substantially right angles to the axis of the pin 19, the construction of the several parts being such that the sheave-frame is capable of universal swivel movement.

The device may be readily secured to the deck by first turning the plate I) until its hole 71 registers with a hole in the base-plate a, followed by driving the screw 3, and repeating the operating until all the screws are inserted.

It is obvious that the several members constituting the device A may be rendered nonoxidizable in any Well-known manner, or they may be made of bronze or other suitable metal.

I claim as my invention and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent 1. In a sheet-leader block, the combination with the sheave or block carrying frame and a base-plate adapted to be secured to the deck, of an axially-movable guard-plate secured to said base-plate, and a link connectcoupled to the link, whereby the leader-pub ley is capable of movement in any direction through a semicircnlararc, the said member I) also serving to keep the frameffrom coming in contact with the deck.

Signed by me at Providence, Rhode Island, this 22d day of November, A. D. 1899.

EDWVARD J. F. COLEMAN.

Witnesses:

GEO. H. REMINGTON, OHAs. O. REMINGTON. 

